Finding Freedom
Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand
35 min
14 Key Points
4.8 RateWhat's inside?
Dive into the intimate journey of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as they break free from royal traditions to create a life of their own.
You'll learn
1. What's the real scoop on Harry and Meghan's royal life?2. What struggles did they face as royals?3. Why did they quit their royal jobs?4. How are they carving out their own path?5. What's going on in their personal lives and charity work?6. How has the media spotlight affected their mental health?Key points
01Harry and Meghan stick to their beliefs, even if others don't get it
Let's dive into the world of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and their bold decision to step away from their royal duties. This wasn't just a spur-of-the-moment choice, but a testament to their strong beliefs, even when they weren't shared or understood by others. Let's rewind a bit. In November 2019, Harry, Meghan, and their little one, Archie, packed up and moved to the Mille Fleurs estate in Victoria, Canada. This wasn't just a change of scenery, but a much-needed break from the constant scrutiny and harsh criticism they faced from the British press and social media. Their private lives were always in the spotlight, with personal matters often twisted and leaked to the press. This created a sense of mistrust, even within the Palace, and added more tension to Harry's already strained relationship with his brother, Prince William. But, despite these hurdles, Harry and Meghan didn't let it slow them down. Meghan took the reins as guest editor for the September issue of British Vogue, which flew off the shelves faster than any other issue in the magazine's history. She also launched a clothing line to raise money for Smart Works, a charity that helps unemployed women, and it was a hit. Harry, meanwhile, started Travalyst, an initiative aimed at making the tourism industry more sustainable. One of their most significant choices was to not give Archie a royal title. They wanted to shield him from the public eye and let him carve out his own path in life. Both Harry and Meghan knew all too well the pressures of royal life and wanted to spare Archie from it. After nearly three years of non-stop attacks from the British press, Harry and Meghan made the tough decision to step back from their royal duties. It wasn't an easy choice, but it showed their commitment to their beliefs and their determination to protect their family. In a nutshell, Harry and Meghan's choices show their unwavering commitment to their beliefs, even when faced with misunderstanding and criticism. They put their family's well-being and privacy above royal tradition and public opinion, showing their bravery and resilience.
02Meghan has always been a hard worker and never gives up
From her early years, Meghan Markle was a force to be reckoned with. She had a fire in her belly, a determination to make her mark on the world. Even as a young girl, she threw herself into acting, giving her all to even the smallest roles. Her dad, Thomas Markle, was a big part of her life, always there to lend a hand with school play sets and cheer her on from the audience. But his influence went beyond the stage. He also helped shape Meghan's strong belief in women's rights and her passion for feminism. One story that really stands out happened when Meghan was just eleven. She was in class, watching a TV show, when a commercial for dishwashing liquid came on. The slogan was, "Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans." One of the boys in her class made a snide comment, saying, "Yeah, that's where women belong, in the kitchen!" This really got under Meghan's skin, but instead of letting it slide, her dad encouraged her to do something about it. Taking his advice to heart, Meghan decided to write letters of protest against the sexist ad. She didn't just write to anyone, she wrote to big names like then First Lady Hillary Clinton, Nickelodeon news anchor Linda Ellerbee, and even the company that made the dishwashing soap. And guess what? They all wrote back. She got a letter from the White House, was interviewed on Nickelodeon, and the soap company even changed their commercial to say, "People all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans." As Meghan got older, her love for acting turned into a career goal. But her mom told her to get a college degree first. So, Meghan went off to Northwestern University. While she was there, she got an internship at the US embassy in Buenos Aires, thanks to her dad's older brother, Mick. In 2006, Meghan's acting career really started to take off. She got a job as a Briefcase Model on the game show "Deal or No Deal." It wasn't a big role, but Meghan didn't let that stop her. She kept pushing, kept striving for more. And it paid off. She landed the role of Rachel Zane, a smart and sexy paralegal, on a new show called "Suits" on the USA Network. This was a big deal for Meghan, a real turning point in her career. It just goes to show that hard work and never giving up on your dreams really does pay off.
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03Harry and Meghan connected over their love for Africa and helping others
04Meghan knew Harry's life wasn't easy and she was ready to face it
05Meghan faced racism from the media, no matter what she did
06Harry and Meghan had to deal with a lot of changes in their lives
07Harry and Meghan care about the same things and aren't afraid to show it
08Many people didn't support Meghan's relationship with Harry, and they weren't shy about it
09Meghan's dad caused her problems and spread false news to the press
10Meghan was a unique Duchess with a strong character and presence
11The birth of their son, Archie, made Harry and Meghan's life decisions clearer
12Harry and Meghan did everything they could to protect their family
13Harry and Meghan found freedom in their decisions and had their loved ones' support
14Conclusion
About Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand
Omid Scobie is a British-Iranian journalist, royal editor for Harper's Bazaar, and ABC News contributor. Carolyn Durand is an Emmy Award-winning producer and writer who has spent nearly two decades working in London covering Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, Clarence House, and other major international events.
